In a move expected to be followed by other Chinese brands, Omoda and Jaecoo have taken several steps to make their UK-bound models more insurable.
These include redesigning the rear bumper structure of the Omoda 5 to make it easier to repair, reducing one-piece structures like front wings and body sides to more easily repairable sub-assemblies and creating more detailed and accessible body repair guides.
The two brands have also expanded technical support for their dealers and are currently training 100 technicians, they said.
In addition, they have amassed a parts inventory worth £3 million and forged a partnership with logistics giant DHL to provide next day delivery from a ‘centre of excellence’ in Rugby.
“Where more established car makers might say ‘we will make that change at the facelift ’, Omoda and Jaecoo have made many changes within just a few days and sometimes even overnight,” said Thatcham’s head of automotive, Ben Townsend. “We’ve never experienced that speed of reaction.”
In addition, a Thatcham certified locking wheel device will be applied to all UK-bound Omoda and Jaecoo cars at the factory, the keyless entry and start system will be protected from relay attack devices and a double-locking system will be applied.
Townsend added: “We recently met 25 car makers in China with plans to market their vehicles here and elsewhere in Europe, so I expect [this partnership] won’t be the last.”
